Magic: Definitions and Conjecture
The Weave
The Weave is the invisible, all-encompassing field that enables and regulates the flow of Aether throughout the Valakadynian Universe, allowing magic to exist in a stable state. It prevents wild, primordial energy from wreaking havoc upon the world, and separates the Material Plane from the plane of pure Aether beyond the universe.Magic
Magic, or Aether, is the raw essence of creation: the foundation of the universe. Certain individuals have the ability to manipulate Aether at their whim, enabled by The Weave. Whether born innately or trained devotedly, any living entity is theoretically capable of wielding magic. Certain beings, known as Immortals, are able to draw out an older form of Aether, known as Wild Magic, allowing them to wield godlike power.Wild Magic
Wild Magic, or Primordial Magic, is a rare, powerful form of aether that exists beyond the Weave. It can only be manipulated by those blessed by the Creator Goddesses themselves; Immortals (Gods and Oracles), the rare Wild Magic sorcerer, and the wielders of the Artifacts of Vaka are the only beings capable of using Wild Magic with few consequences. Some of these individuals are able to cast spells greater than 9th level by drawing on this primordial Aether. Many mortals have attempted to harness the powers of the Primordial essence of the Weave only to find themselves destroyed in the process. Wielding Primordial energy is no easy feat, and strains the Weave any time it is attempted. Because of this, the Weave may occasionally thin in places, allowing Wild Magic Surges and Events to occur.Greater Than 9th Level Spellcasting
Artifacts that have become Exalted grant the ability to cast spells greater than 9th level. These can be custom effects, or feats normally impossible with standard magic, such as cleaving the top off a mountain in order to create a flying city, sealing a God away in a magic enclosure, or creating a gargantuan magic tree that reinvigorates the life around it. These spells create and harness the power of a Wild Magic Event, exposing Valakadyn to pure Primordial Aether from beyond the Weave. Casting a spell greater than 9th level drains you physically and magically. You expend at least 50 levels worth of spells. If you do not have enough spell levels to spend, you may instead sacrifice a number of Oracle levels equal to the amount of spell levels you're missing divided by 20. The greater the feat, the greater the toll. The DM will determine the cost of each event, but may raise the spell level or Oracle level cost depending on the feat.Wild Magic Surges
Wild Magic Surges occur when the Weave is "overloaded" with magical energy. The chances of a Wild Magic Surge occurring are very rare naturally. However, certain people, objects, or actions can weaken the Weave, increasing the chances that a Surge will occur. As Alecto approaches it's full moon, magic steadily grows more powerful. In the six months before and after the full moon, magic users become significantly more powerful. During the month long full moon, the Weave becomes incredibly unstable, enabling feats great and terrible. Surges become almost guaranteed, but unimaginable power can be wielded by those who have the capability. Surges only occur when spells of 6th level or above are cast, or when an Artifact or ability draws on an excess amount of Wild Magic. When this occurs, roll a d100. Calculate your Surge Percentage to see your chances of a Surge, detailed below.Calculating Surge Percentage
- While Alecto is waning, the Surge Percentage is equal to 1 + (5 x # of Immortals present) + (3 x # of Artifacts in use).
- While Alecto is waxing, it is equal to 20 + (10 x # of Immortals present) + (7 x # of Artifacts in use).
- During the full moon, the Surge Percentage is equal to 50 + (20 x # of Immortals present) + (15 x # of Artifacts in use).
- If Mystra is present at any time, add 100 to the final surge percentage.
Wild Magic Events
If the Surge Percentage is greater than 100%, magic itself becomes unstable. Spells become more powerful, and magic users' ability to manipulate the aether grows stronger as the Weave weakens around them. During these moments, magic wielders have described the Weave as "soupy" and "thick." When the Weave has been sufficiently worn down, a Wild Magic Event may occur. Additionally, Artifacts of Vaka are capable of instantly initiating and controlling the energy of a Wild Magic Event in order to cast spells beyond normal capability. For each Surge interval greater than 200%, increasingly destructive Wild Magic Events may occur. There are five levels of Wild Magic Events that descend in severity:Level 5: Minor (>200%) - d100 >90
A Level 5 Event consists of anything that could be considered largely non-destructive, or limited to an extremely small radius. Examples include the Team of Many Things being sent to the Dark Future, or Stevanas being evaporated while creating the Oracle of Metal.Level 4: Problematic (>400%) - d100 >70
A Level 4 Event signifies a circumstance where a small but significant portion of Valakadyn is exposed to energy from beyond the Weave. These Events are limited to a local area, such as a single town or kingdom. Examples include the permanent changing of Mavella's weather during the creation of the Bright Castle, or the ever-weakened Weave around the Eye of Divellia.Level 3: Significant (>600%) - d100 >50
A Level 3 Event is a regionally affective tear in the Weave. Examples include the original creation of Kaz'ad with the death of Jormungandr, Mara Magnolia, First Oracle of Souls, and Thrivas Foxgard, Fifth Oracle of Battle; and the creation of Eldhress, The Second Sister during the beginning of the Dawn War.Level 2: Disastrous (>800%) - d100 >30
A Level 2 Event is a continent-level burst of the Weave. These events are storied, world changing occurrences that have only occurred a handful of times. Examples include the creation of Graena, The Fourth Sister at the conclusion of the Battle of Sunfall, and the creation of Redgarden and the red moon, Alecto, caused by the death of Vaka in an event known as The Sundering.Level 1: Cataclysmic (800+%) - d100 >010
A Level 1 Event, in layman's terms, is an end of the world scenario. The ablation of the Weave at this level has never occurred in this timeline, as, by definition, the planet could not survive such an experience. Examples include Karnatis' desecration of the Weave in the Dark Future, the resulting explosion leading to the creation of another moon that failed to achieve orbit, then slamming into the ocean and ending all life on Valakadyn; or Ergeaux claiming all nine Artifacts and failing to revive Vaka due to the actions of [REDACTED], resulting in [REDACTED] being destroyed, unleashing a painful death for all on Valakadyn.
Type
Metaphysical, Elemental
